Pressure-controlling device



w. M. JEWELL. PRESSURE CONTROLLING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED MAY I5, 1919.

Patented Man 23, 1920.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM M. JEWELL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO CHLORINE PRODUCTS COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

PRESSURE-CONTROLLING DEVICE.

Application filed May 15, 1919.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, VVILL'IAM M. J \\'ELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the wunty of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Iu1- provclnent in Iressiu'eControlling Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to devices for con trolling the How of gaseous fluids from a source thereof to render the pressure of the gaseous fluid substantially constant, my invention. having been devised for use, more particularly, though not to the exclusion of other uses, in connection with the production of chlorin gas in electrolytic cells.

In the production of chlorin gas as stated the common practice is to connect the chlorin-gas outlet of the cell, or cells, with the suction side of a mmprcssor in which the gas is cou'lpressed prior to the condensing of the same. Owing, however, to the variations in the degree of suction exerted by the compressor, and variations in the de gree of pressure of the gas in the cells, explosions, due to the admixture of the chlorin gas with hydrogen, which damage the apparatus and place it out of commission, often occur in the cells or other parts of the apparatus, especially in those cases where the porous diaphragms of the cathode elements of the cells are exposed above the brine level in the anode compartments.

My object is to provide novel, simple, and positively-operating means. for regulating the pressure of gaseous fluid, and preferably to maintain a constant pressure either at, above, or below, atmospheric pressure as dc-- sired, whereby danger of explosions is overcome and any desired degree of pressure preferably at, above. or below, atmospheric pressure, may be maintained, as for example to avoid the dilution of the gas with air or the discharge of the gas into the atmosphere, where a leak exists in the cells or connecting lines.

Referring to the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a view, in the nature of a diagram as to certain of the parts, of a portion of a liquid-chlorin-produei-ng apparatus employing a. pressure-control]ing device constructed inaecor-lance with HIV invention and showing; the said device enlarged rela- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 23, 1920.

Serial No. 297,332.

shown in sectional elevation; and Fig. 2, a view, mostly sectional, of certain of the details of the controlling device of Fig. 1.

In the particular arrangement illustrated, an electrolytic cell 'for the production of chlorin gas is represented at 3, this cell being of any desired constrmtion, with the outlet for the chlorin gas, as it is evolved in the cell, connected with a pipe represented at 4, the cell as shown having a gage 3 for indicating the gas-pressure in the cell, the gage shown being of the common form of vz'tcuum, or low-pressure type. A compressor of any desired construction for comp: swing the chlorin gas evolved in the cell 3 is repre seated at 5 its suction, or inlet, side being connected with a pipe 6 and its outlet, or pressure, side with a pipe 7 for leading the compressed as to condensing means (not shown) for llquefying' the compressed chlorin gas, the chlorin-gasoutlct of the cell 3 being connected with the inlet side of the compressor as hereinafter described, where by the passage of the gas evolved in the cell is controlled, as hereinafter described, by the suction exert-ed by the action of the compressor, my improved pressurocontrolling means of which the following is a description being interposed in the said connection between the compressor and cell to control the pressure of the chlorin gas in the cell.

The prcssu rescontrolling device comprises a chamber 7 for liquid, as for example sulfuric acid where used for controlling the pressure of chlorin gas, the liquid being represented at 8, a chamber 9 open to the interior of the chamber 7 below the top of the liquid 8 therein, the iihamber 9, in the particular construction shown, being a bell glass jar resting at its open bottom on a grid 10 in the chamber 7, and a float 11 movable up and down in the chamber 9 and floating on the liquid 8 therein. The opening 12 in the top of the chamber 9 contains a stopper 13, preferably of rubber. through which downwardly extends the pipe i and a pipe 14 connected at its upper end with the pipe 6. The lower end of the pipe 14 where it extends into the chamber 9 below the stopper 13, is shaped, as indicated at 15, to form a seat for a ball-valve 16 which fits against this seat preferably loosely, though it may have a snug fit, if desired. The ball valve 16 which is preferably of rubber, cilher hard or soft, is carried by a glass rod 17 extending therethrough and through a stopper 18, preferably of rubber, fitting tightly in an opening 19 in the top of the float 11, which is in the form of. a jar, the upper end of the rod 17 extending upwardly into the pipe 1% and forming therewith guiding means for insuring the maintenance of the valve 16 in alinement with the seat 15.

The device as shown is conditioned for use in maintaining a uniform pressure, less than that of the atmosphere, in the cell 3, and in this condition the liquid 8 reaches to such a hei ht that when the compressor is idle the ball valve 16 will extend out of engagement with the seat 15. \Vhen the compressor 5 is operating the suction produced thereby in the pipe ll operates to lift the liquid 8 in the chamber 9, thereby raising the float l1 and valve 16. It will be mani fest that as the raising of the float to a point where the valve 16 engages the seat 15 requires the exertion of a certain degree of suction in the chamber 9, depending on how much liquid is charged into the chamber 7, the suction exerted on the cell is maintained constant under variations in suction produced by the compressor and variations in the rate at which the gas is evolved in the cell 3 with the result that the pressure of the chlorin gas in the cell 3 is maintained constant. The pressure is controlled by charging more or less of the liquid 8 into the chamber 7 by increasing the amount of liquid the higher the pressure in the cell 3 and by decreasing the amount of liquid the lower the pressure in the cell.

If it is desired to maintain a constant pressure in the cell 3 in excess of atmospheric pressure, the liquid 8 should he charged into the chamber 7 to such a height that the float 11, when the compressor is not operating, will force the valve 16 against the seat 15. operating it will require the building-up of gas pressure from the cell 3, in the chamber 9 before the Heat 11 will be forced down and the valve 16 lowered away from the seat 15 to permit of the escape of the gas from the chamber 9, but when such pressure is reached the same is maintained constant.

Thus the degree of pressure of the gas in the cell 3, is maintained constant and of a degree as desired. If it is desired to reduce the pressure of the gas in the cell 3 a portion of t e li uid 8 is removed from the chamher 7 ant if increase of the pressure is desired, more liquid is added.

Furthermore, it will be understood that if it is desired that the pressure maiptained in the cell 3 be equal to atmospheric pres sure, as for example to prevent inlet of air into the cell in the case of leaks, this may be eflected bycharging into the chamber 7 suf- Thus when the compressor is ficicnt liquid Pa to cause the valve 16 to bear against the seat 15 with the minimum pressure when the compressor is idle.

If desired, instead of removing acid from the body -51 thereof, or adding acid thereto, to vary the pressure of the gas in the cell, the same result may be effected in other ways, as for example by means of a solid body, as for example a plunger introduced into, or withdrawn from, either wholly, or in part, the liquid 8, or by raising or lowering either of the chambers 7 or 9.

\Vherc sulfuric acid is used as H of liquid, it is preferred that the upper surface thereof in chamber 7 be covered with athin film of oil, represented at 8, for preventing the acid from coming into contact with the air and absorbing moisture.

\Vhile I have illustrated and described in detail a particular construction embodying my invention, I do not wish to be understood intendiug to limit it thereto, as the same may be variously modified and altered without departing from the spirit of my invention, and an illustration of one of the various changes that may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention is that of providing the chamber 9 exterior of the chamber 7 instead of one within the the body other and instead of forming the liquid- .95

seal communication by locating one chamber within the other as in the case of the construction in Fig. 1, forming a liquidseal communication between these separated chambers by means of a liquid-seal-producin c pipe-connection between these chambers.

Vhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A pressure-controlling device comprising chambers for liquid, with a liquid-seal communication therebetween, one of said chambers containing openings, one of which, openings communicates with the source of the gaseous fluid the pressure of which is to be controlled and the other of which openings is an outlet, and extends above the liquid in said last-referred-to chamber, and a valve controlled by the height of liquid in said last-referred to chamber for controlling the opening and closing of said lastmentioned opening.

2. A pressure-controlling device comprising chambers for liquid communicating with each other below the top of the liquid in said chambers, one of said chambers containing openings, one of which openings communicates with the source of the gaseous fluid the pressure of which is to be controlled and the other of which openings is an outlet, and extends .above the liquid in said last-referred-to chamber, and a valve controlled by the height of liquid in said last-referred to' chamber for controlling the opening and closing of said last-mentioned opening.

be controlled and the other 3. A pressure-controlling device comprising chambers for liquid, the liquid in one of which is exposed to the pressure of the atmos 'iherc, said chambers communicating with each other below the top of the liquid in said chambers, the other of said chambers containing openings, one of which openings communicates with the source of gas cous fluid the pressure of which is to be controlled and the other of which openings is an outlet, and extends above the liquid in said last-i'efcrred-io chamber, and a wire controlled. by the height of liquid in said last-referred to chamber for controlling the opening and closing of said lasle mentioned opening.

4-. A pressure-controlling device comprising chambers for liquid, the liquid in one of which is exposed to the pressure of the atmosphere, said chambers communicating with each other below the top of the liquid in said chambers, the other of said chambers containing openings, one of which openings communicates with the source of gaseous fhiid the pressure of which is to be controlled, suction means connected with the other of said openings, said last-referred-to opening extending above the liquid in said last-referred to chamber, and a valve controlled by the hclghtpf liquid in said lastreferred to chamber for controlling the opening and closing of said last-mentioned opening.

5. A pressure-controlling device comprising chambers for liquid, the liquid in one of which is exposed to the pressure of the atmosphere, said chambers communicating with;each other below the top of the liquid in said chambers, the other of said chambers containing openings, one of which openings communicates with the source of gaseous fluid the pressure of which is to be controlled, suction means connected with the other of said openings, said last-referrcd-to opening extending above the liquid in said last-referred-to chamber, and. a valve controlled by the height of liquid in said last referred to chamber for controlling the opening and closing of said last-mentioned opening.

(5. A pri-ssiire-controlling device comprisin" chambers for liquid, said chambers commiinicating with each other below the top of the liquid in said chambers, one of said chambers containing openings, one of which. openings communicates with the source of gaseous fluid the pressure of which is to of which openings is an outlet, and extends above the liquid in said last-referred-to chamber, and a float-valve in said last-referred to charm lFI'I' controlling the opening and closing of said last-mentioned opening.

7. A pressurc controlling device comprising chambers for liquid, the liquid in one of which is exposed to the pressure of the atmosphere, said chambers communicating with each other below the top of the liquid in said chambers, the other of said chau1- bcrs containing openings above the liquid therein, one of which openings communicates with the source of gaseous fluid the pressure of which is to be controlled and the other of which openings is an outlet, and a floatwalve in said last-referred to chamber controlling the opening and closing of said last-mentioned opening.

A presslnecontrolling device compri e ing chambers for liquid, the liquid in one of which cr poscd to the pressure of the atmosphere, said chambers communicating with each other below the top of the liquid in said chambers, the other of said chambers containing openings above the liquid therein, one of which openings communicates with the source of gaseous fluid the pressure of which is to be controlled. suction means connected with the other of said openings, and a float-valve in said last-referred to chamber controlling the opening and closing of said last-mentioned opening.

9. A pressurc-eontrolling device comprising cl'iainbcrs for liquid, said chambers communicating with each other below the top of the liquid in said chambers, a float in one of said chambers, said last-referrcd-to chamber containing openings, one of which openings communicates with the source of gaseous fluid the pressure of which is to be controlled and the other of which is an outlet, and extends above the liquid in said lastrelerred-to chamber, and a valve, operated by said float, controlling the opening and closing of said last-mentioned opening.

10. A pressure-controlling device comprising chambers for liquid, said chambers coinmunicating with each other below the top of the liquid in said chambers, a float in one of said chambers, said last-referred-to chambercontaining openings, one of which openings connects with the source of gaseous fluid the pressure of which is to be controlled and the other of which openings is anloutlet, and extends above the liquid in said last-referred-to chamber, and an upwardly-closing valve, operated by said float, controlling the opening and closing of said last-mentioned opening.

' 11. Apressure-controlling device ing chambers for liquid, said chambers communicating with each other below the top of the liquid in said chambers, one of said chambers containing openings, one of which openings communicates with the source of gaseous fluid the pressure of which is to be controlled, suction means connected with the other of said openings, said last-referrcd-to opening extending above the liquid in said last-refcrrcd-to chamber, and a valve controlled by the height of liquid in said lastcom prisreferred-to chamber for mntrolliug the opening and closing oi said linst-mentioned opening, the liquid in said last referred to charm her extending, when said suction means are idle, to such a, height that it requires sucs tion exerted in said last-referred to chamber to move said valve to a position in which said valve closes.

12. A, pressurc-controlling device comprising chambers for liquid the liquid in onev of which is exposed to the pressure of the atmosphere, said chambers coumiunicating with each other below the top of the liquid in said chambers. the other of said chambers containing openings, one of which openings communicates with the source of gaseous fluid the pressure of which is to be controlled, suction means connected with the other of said openings, said last-inferred to opening extending above the liquid in said last-refbrredto chamber. and a valve. con trolled by the height of liquid in said lastrefe-rred-to chamber for controlling the open ing and closing: of said iast mcuiioncd open ing, the liquid in said last-relerrcd-to chimiber extending, when said suction means are idle, to such a height that it requires suction exerted in. said last rcfcrred-to chamber to move said valve to a position in which said valve closes.

13. A. pressare-controlling device compris ing chambers for liquid. said chambers coinmunicating with each other below the top of the liquid in said chambers, a float in one of said chambers, said last-rcierrcil-to (hamber containing openings. one of which openings communicates with the source of gaseous fluid the pressure of which is to be controlled, suction meaus connected with the other of said openings, said last-rcferrcdto opening extending above the liquid in said last-referred-to chamber, and a valve, operated by said float. controlling the opening: and closing of said last-mentioned opening, the liquid in said last-referred-to chamber extending to such a height therein that it requires suction exerted in said last-rcferred-to chamber to move said float to a position in which said valve closes.

14. A pressulecontrolling device comprising chambers for liquid, said chambers communicating with each other below the top of the liquid in said chambers. one of said chambers containing openings, one of which openings communicates with the source of gaseous fluid. the pressure of which is to be controlled and the other of which is an outlot, and extends above the liquid in said lastreferred-to chamber. and a valve controilcd by the height of liquid in said last-referralto chamber for controlling the opening and closing of said last-mentioned opening, the

liquid in said last-referrcd-to chamber extending, when the device is idle, to such a height. therein that it requires pressure above atl'nospherio pressure in said last-referred-to clmmlu'r, to move said valve to open position. i

15. A prcssurc-coutrolling device comprisinn chambers for liquid. said chambers communicatin; with each other below the top of the liquid in said chambers, a float in one of said chambers, said last-rcfcrrcd-to chamber containing" openings, one of which openings communicates with the source of the gaseous fluid the pressure of which is to be controlled and the other o'F which openings is an outlet, and extends above the liquid in said lastreferred-to chamber. and a valve operated by said float. controlling: the opening and closing of said last-nu-ntiruu-d opcningythe iiquid in said last-reFcrred-to chamber extending, when the device is idle. to such a height that it requires prcssurc above atmospheric pressure in said last-rci'crred-to chambcr to move said float to a position in which said valve opens.

16. A pressurc-controliing device comprising chambers for liquid. the liquid in our of which is exposed to the pressure of the atu'losphcre. said chambers communicating with each other below the top of the liquid in said cluu'ubcrs. a float in the other of said chanubers. said last-rel crrcd-to clmmbcr containing openings above the liquid therein, one of which openings communicates with the source of the gaseous iiuid the pressure of which is to be controlie-d and the otherof which. openings is an outlet, and a valve opcratcd by said float. controlling the opening and closing: of said last-mcnti0ned opening, the liquid in said last-referred-to chamber extending. when the device is idle, to such a height that it requires pressure above atmospheric pressure in said last-referred'to chamber to move said float to a position in which said valve opens.

17. A prcssure-controlling device comprising a. chamber for liquid, a second chamber extending into the liquid in said first-named chamber, and communicating therewith be low the top of the liquid in said chambers, said second chamber containing openings, one of which openings communicates with the source of the gaseous fluid the pressure of which is to be controlled and the other of which openings an outlet, and extends above the liquid in said second chamber. and a valve contmllcd by the height of liquid in said second chamber. for controlling the opening and closing of saidlast-mcntioncd opening.

WILLIAM M. J EWELL. 

